Grace Presbyterian Church (Peoria, Illinois)

History

Initially called the Fourth Ward Mission School, Grace Presbyterian was founded in 1862 as a Sunday School for area youth. D.W. McWilliams, the first superintendent, was a prominent railroad man who had recently moved to Peoria from New York. He was able to secure a passenger rail coach to use as a meeting place. The school started with 19 children, and within a few Sundays a second passenger coach was added to accommodate growing attendance.

In 1874, the group formally organized as a church mission, taking on the name Grace Presbyterian. Three years later, under the leadership of H.S. Beavis, the church become autonomous and self-supporting; the Grace Presbyterian Mission became Grace Presbyterian Church.

The first permanent location at Wayne Street and Madison Avenue was destroyed by fire in 1890. However, the congregation continued worshiping on Peoria's "near north-side" for several generations. In 1957, the church moved to what would become a well-known location, the corner of Knoxville Ave. and Forrest Hill Ave. The church moved to its current 60 acre campus in 2010.

Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism which traces its origins to the British Isles. Presbyterian churches derive their name from the presbyterian form of church government, which is government by representative assemblies of elders. Many Reformed churches are organized this way, but the word "Presbyterian," when capitalized, is often applied uniquely to the churches that trace their roots to the Scottish and English churches that bore that name and English political groups that formed during the English Civil War. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ. Presbyterian church government was ensured in Scotland by the Acts of Union in 1707 which created the kingdom of Great Britain. In fact, most Presbyterians found in England can trace a Scottish connection, and the Presbyterian denomination was also taken to North America mostly by Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants. The Presbyterian denominations in Scotland hold to the theology of John Calvin and his immediate successors, although there are a range of theological views within contemporary Presbyterianism. Local congregations of churches which use presbyterian polity are governed by sessions made up of representatives of the congregation (elders); a conciliar approach which is found at other levels of decision-making (presbytery, synod and general assembly).

Presbyterian Church (Bellevue, Nebraska)

Presbyterian Church is a church at 2002 Franklin Street in Bellevue, Nebraska that was built c.1856-58, and has been believed to be the oldest surviving building in Nebraska that was built to hold religious services. It is also believed to be one of few surviving buildings in Nebraska that show original Greek Revival architectural influence.

The congregation of the church was founded in 1859, and, in 1970, was believed to be the oldest church congregation in the state.

Latest News for: grace presbyterian church

Cy Alexander, a Winston-Salem native and former basketball coach at S.C.State and N.C. A&T, will have two book signings in Winston-Salem next month ... on Dec ... He’ll also be at his church, GracePresbyterian on CarverRoad, on Dec ... A&T....

LEWISTON — Paul Boilard’s daughter, Nancy, tricked him into going to the annual veterans’ luncheon at the Green Ladle for the third year Friday ... Advertisement ... The event opened with a color guard, Pledge of Allegiance, moment of silence for those who had been lost and prayer by Pastor Per Almquist of the FreeGracePresbyterianChurch ... ....